Years ago I was exploring as much of Soho as I could fit after work (yipeee for retail therapy!) and before having to go home to start dinner… my first of many Manhattan shopping adventures… I found their cute little boutique sandwiched in-between Anya Hindmarch’s and Anna Sui’s. I fell in love with their eyeshadows and one of their nude lipsticks (named Nouveau?) and for the first time did a continuous repurchase of that same color every time I ran out because the formula was so satiny smooth and this particular color was so flattering on me… Totally unprecedented! Since I feel that they are a great company largely overshadowed by some other cosmetic brands but well-deserving of special recognition, I’m featuring them on my blog today.

You Tube’s Pookie Tanner did multiple in-depth reviews of this new company, Ninjas Candles & Melts, a few months ago and based on what I saw was encouraged to try a few of their products. I’m so impressed with the quality of their 100% soy products (clean & fairly even burn, unique offerings, vibrant scent throw & scent endurance, attentive customer service, and thoughtful packaging). So much pretty details that I can tell great pride has been put into every order =). I highly recommend their products without hesitation and will probably put in another order once I get through with all the goodies from my initial one. I received a gorgeous sterling silver 1.5″ 4 leaf clover mother-of-pearl pendant from one of their Fresh Bamboo Jewelry Candles (pictured below)! Currently I’m enjoying a travel-sized candle in tin in the scent, Sweet Orange & Chili Pepper… yummy loveliness! Go explore Ninjas ;)!

The only products I ever bought from Moleskine before this time were blank unlined notebooks for The Sketchbook Project (Brooklyn). I loved them for their simplicity, smooth pages, and light weight. After watching You Tube Chrissstttiiine’s positive review of the Moleskine Month Weekly Planner/Diary, I decided to check out their Month Daily version. Although it seems insane to be intentionally bombarded by new organizers all at once, I have been able to devise a plan of how I will use the lot in 2015 ;)! I wish I could have had a neatly packed shelf full of identical planners from one year to the next but I’m a butterfly of sorts; the beauty is in new discoveries. Yeahhh- a total commitment-phobe!.. Sanrio, Morning Glory, At-A-Glance, Kate Spade, Anya Hindmarch, Graphic Image, The Success Choice, Filofax, and who knows where inspiration will take me next???

June is when many companies release planner refills for the next year and I’m always looking for the perfect ones. Currently I have committed to the Filofax Daily pages. Last year I had enjoyed using The Success Choice system. While both have worked well for me, I’m always open-minded to try something different at the start of every new year (obviously hoping to find perfection). I’m a big fan of the Plannerisms blog and found a January 2010 post reviewing the Uncalendar system. I quickly zeroed in because it offers so much freedom in what you can record upon its pages! Besides writing down my daily schedule, I also prefer to record my meals, daily highlights including birthdays and such, communication going in and out, dreams, to dos, etc. I would love the option to doodle or graph as well. If you’re like me, go and check out the Uncalendar! My order arrived… I can’t wait to start 2015 on the right note and to customize it just the way I like =)!

While I’m a big supporter of local nurseries/small businesses, sometimes I’m seeking particular plants that my nursery doesn’t normally stock or sold out of which forces me to seek out mail order companies. Late into the growing season, I was inspired to build up my largely ignored shade garden. For years I believed that only full or partial sun plants were worth my while, that only they were beautiful. I overlooked the astilbes, hellebores, dicentras, ferns, lily of the valleys, hostas, etc. All are lovely and well worth a second glance…